GES: Hello Steve, I’m Franck from Guitareuroshop.com it's a great pleasure to make this interview with you. How do you feel now after a very long tour with Toto? Because you're the leader I guess it has been a lot of work and pressure!

SL: Well, yeah it has been a LONG tour. haha Over 2 years! I leave today for out LAST tour. 6 weeks overseas. It’s time to put Toto to rest for awhile. We are all tired BUT we are gonna go out and kick some ass this last leg and make in mean something. The pressure is really off cause it was a big success. Nice way to end.

GES: Your new solo album "Ever changing times" is now out. Have you received good feedbacks from your fans and press?

SL: The best of my whole career. I am not used to getting suck good reviews. haha Seems that people like it and that is nice cause I worked REAL hard on it!

GES: It's your 3rd solo album do you consider it as the most complete and mature? 

SL: Actually its my 4th vocal record. There was my first one LUKATHER, 2nd Candyman, LUKE and now this one ECT. I also did a record with Larry Carlton that won a Grammy a few years back and various other side projects but this is my 4th proper solo record and I feel it is my best work to date. I really dug deep and my co producer Steve Macmillin really pushed me and the songwriting is definitly my best but I had a lot of help there too. (oups.. sorry for the mistake!)

GES: Your son Trevor is also credited on the album, can you please tell us more on his participation? I've read some of your previous interviews and it seems you really want to help him that's really cool. Joe Satriani is also playing with his son on his new album, ZZ plays saxophone i guess this gives strong emotions to a father and his son.    

SL: Trev co wrote New World and Tell me what you want from me. He also played all the heavy riff guitars and sang BG's on a few other things. He is very talented and I predict great things for him!
My daughter Tina sang BG's on Stab in the back so it’s a family affair. My new daughter Lily will have to be a part of the next one I do. I am very proud to have such cool kids. They turned out great in spite of me. haha

GES: May be a duet album with him in the futur? ;)  

SL: That could happen a few years down the road. He is working on his own record right now. That would be fun. We spoke of it last night at dinner. And a tour maybe as well.

GES: So now, are you going to make a tour as soloist? If yes will there be dates in Europe?

SL: Oh yeah. I start in June in Europe and it will go around the world over the next 2 years. I am excited.

GES: Let's go back in the past, when and why did you decide to play the guitar?

SL: I was 7 years old and saw the Beatles on Ed Sullivan and got a guitar and a copy of Meet the Beatles and that changed my life forever.

GES: Do you own a seven string guitar? if yes have you ever tried to compose with it ?

SL: Still trying to figure out the 6 string. haha I have messed with it but it just doesn’t feel right to me. Perhaps I should spend more time with it? There are guys that do "that" thing better than me anyway. I am old school.

GES: You are known as a very versatile musician but also very busy. Is there a music style you would like to learn more about but can't by lack of time?

SL: Polka. hahaa I like ALL kinds of music and the great musicians that play all styles. May be heavy Bluegrass would be fun to mess with. I play country stuff with guys like Albert Lee and Rodney Crowell and Steve Morse. We have some Music man jams once a year and we play the song 'Country Boy" by Albert and shred thru the major chord changes. It’ s a tough tune to play but a lot of fun. Those guys are so good!

GES: What do you like to do when you are not playing the guitar? Have you some particular hobbies?

SL: Well I have a new baby daughter Lily and she is wonderful but a handful at 5 months old. haha I like simple stuff. A great meal with friends and family. I really like to be lazy and watch some TV. I don’t watch TV on the road except the news maybe so I don’t feel guilty when I spend the first few days after a tour watching cartoons and ordering in Take out. haha
I suck at golf but its a good hang.  

GES: Are you still producing other musicians?

SL: Not at the moment but I have done over the years. My own career has taken all my time in the last 3 years. The last one I did was with Steve Vai when we produced the Carlton/Lukather record and we won a Grammy for it. That was way cool. I am open in the future but it’s all about schedule. 

GES: A little game for you now, i give you some words and you respond with yours ok?

Music Man: Best guitars ever and they are my closest friends and family!
Religion: I believe in God not religion. I am a spiritual guy. God is in my heart for sure. I don’t think you need to go to church to feel that.
Steve Vai: Brilliant and a great friend. This guy NEVER stops. I have yet to ever see someone that works so hard.
Larry Carlton: My teacher and one of the finest musicians I have ever known. I learned SO much from him!
Frontiers Records: These guys have done so well for us and now for me. They know what they are doing and I have had great success with them. I think they are awesome
Internet: Well here we are. haha It is the present and the future. It a great thing but it would be nice if people didn’t steal music but they will figure it all out.
New talented guitarist(s): My son. haha There is a kid I met in Texas, Tyler dow Bryant who is 16. You will hear about him soon. Its hard cause i don’t listen to a lot of music when i am home cause its all I do. haha My son turns me on to new stuff. I can’t keep up. I know they are out there. YouTube … haha
Political engagement & Artists: Well I don’t really think the 2 go together. I mean if you are Bono and you know what you are talking about great, but lots of people mouth off and they are full of shit. If i wanted to preach politics I would be a politician. I am a better guitar player anyway. haha
George W Bush: Idiot. Thank God we will be rid of him soon.
A good recent movie: The Simpsons, Knocked up, Bourne Ultimatum, my home porno movies. haha
Old Rock Bands reunions: Why not. Great music and great musicians last forever. Most are my friends so i am for it.

GES: Steve you have met so many people and seen so many things in music business that people often ask you stories, don't you think writing an autobiography would be a good idea ?

SL: It has been mentioned but that will take A LOT of time. Perhaps in the future. I am booked up for awhile.

GES: Thanks for the interview Luke, we wish you all the best!

SL: Thanks to YOU guys for the support.